what a wonderful story!

Jesus left Heaven's glory....

to read the full Christmas story:

fleeing to Egypt. to be called Out of Egypt! {advent}

Matthew 2:13-15

And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him.  When he arose, he took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt:  and was there until the death of Herod: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Out of Egypt have I called my son.

[The Lord could have had them flee to any number of different regions or countries. but He chose Egypt. a picture of the world. Jesus was sent into the world, and the called OUT of the world. an example for so He calls us too.]

rejoicing! with treasures {advent}

Matthew 2:9-12

When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was.  When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.  And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.  And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way.

[Hearing from the religious leaders about where they should go, following a star from a far away land, they REJOICED. and obeyed God.]

in Bethlehem of Judaea: for this it is written!

Matthew 2:4-8

And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born.  And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judaea: for thus it is written by the prophet,  and thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel.  Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, enquired of them diligently what time the star appeared.  And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also.

[The priests and scribes of Israel KNEW about the prophesies for the Birth of the Messiah. yet men from afar were more interested in there fulfillment and the coming of The King.]

wise men's tiding are troubling {advent}

Matthew 2:1-3

Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem,  saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.  When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.

[Herod was troubled because he was a wicked ruler. How do you think the leaders of different countries would react if Jesus were born today? the people were troubled also. How would we react?]

telling & pondering {advent}

Luke 2:17-19

And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.  And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.

[I must purpose THIS DAY to TELL of the great tidings! Do you think Mary pondered these things later also? when Jesus was being scorned. remembering how He was so honored at His birth contrasted with how rejected He was in His death. As a mother, I cannot even begin to contemplate how she must have felt during Jesus' entire life. as a child. His ministry. death. Have you ever wondered?]

let US go, too! {advent}

Luke 2:15,16

And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.

[Let us go and find Jesus! for we have an even greater witness than Angels! the Written, Living Word...]

the Angel's greetings & praise {advent}

Luke 2:10-14

And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.   And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.  And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,  Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

[the Greatest Message ever spoken!]

the shepherds are afraid {advent}

Luke 2:8,9 

And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.  And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

[I am fairly certain I would be equally: sore afraid! What would you do?]

the Child comes! {advent}

Luke 2:4-7

And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) to be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.  And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.  And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

[so much prophecy is represented in these few verses! and the most wonderous being: God was born. for you. for me.]

obeying & being sent to Bethlehem

Matthew 1:24-25 

Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife: and knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS.

Luke 2:1-3

And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.

[Not much is often said about Joseph, but he was obviously a man who feared and trusted the Lord: he married an unwed-mother simply because a vision told him to. in a day when he could have had her stoned for 'cheating' on him]

a prophecy fulfilled {advent}

Matthew 1:22-23

Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.

[God told them this would happen. and still most people did not believe. And when Jesus began His ministry: ...Nathanael said unto him, Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth? Philip saith unto him, Come and see. {John 1:46} Do WE believe the prophecies that have yet to be fulfilled could, indeed, be wrought today?]

a child of the Holy Ghost {advent}

Matthew 1:18-21

Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.  Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily.  But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.  And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.

[As a young woman {possibly an older teenager}, would you have been fearful to tell your intended, parents, siblings, that an angel told you that you would have a baby before knowing a man... and that you were expecting and truly had never been with a man?]

returning. to His rightful place! {advent}

ascend into Heaven 

Thou hast ascended on high... Psalm 68:18;

fulfilled: Acts 1:9

would sit down at the right hand of God 

The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool. Psalm 110:1

fulfilled: Hebrews 1:3

This list from the past few days is by NO means every prophecy Jesus has fulfilled or will fulfill, but it is an BEAUTIFUL start to Advent. 

to bring us into the reading of the Christmas story.

beginning tomorrow!

life after death! promised by God. {advent}

would rise from the dead!

For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption. Psalm 16:10

fulfilled: Mark 16:6; Acts 2:31

His rejection & death foretold {advent}

Die a humiliating death 

My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? why art thou so far from helping me, and from the words of my roaring? O my God, I cry in the daytime, but thou hearest not; and in the night season, and am not silent....But I am a worm, and no man; a reproach of men, and despised of the people.  All they that see me laugh me to scorn: they shoot out the lip, they shake the head, saying,  He trusted on the LORD that he would deliver him: let him deliver him, seeing he delighted in him... I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint: my heart is like wax; it is melted in the midst of my bowels. My strength is dried up like a potsherd; and my tongue cleaveth to my jaws; and thou hast brought me into the dust of death. For dogs have compassed me: the assembly of the wicked have inclosed me: they pierced my hands and my feet. I may tell all my bones: they look and stare upon me. They part my garments among them, and cast lots upon my vesture. But be not thou far from me, O LORD: O my strength, haste thee to help me... Psalm 22 [only portions typed]

Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the LORD revealed?  For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him. He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: ...But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth. ...Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand. ...and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors. Isaiah 53:1-12 [only portions typed]

involving:
rejection -Isaiah 53:3

fulfilled: John 1:10-11; 7:5,48

betrayal by a friend -Psalm 41:9

fulfilled: Luke 22:3-4; John 13:18

sold for 30 pieces of silver -Zechariah 11:12

fulfilled: Matthew 26:14-15

silence before His accusers -Isaiah 53:7

fulfilled: Matthew 27:12-14

being mocked -Psalm 22: 7-8

fulfilled: Matthew 27:31

beaten -Isaiah 52:14

fulfilled: Matthew 27:26

spit upon Isaiah 50:6

fulfilled: Matthew 27:30

piercing His hands and feet -Psalm 22:16

fulfilled: Matthew 27:31

being crucified with thieves -Isaiah 53:12

fulfilled: Matthew 27:38

praying for His persecutors Isaiah 53:12

fulfilled: Luke 23:34

piercing His side -Zechariah 12:10

fulfilled: John 19:34

given gall and vinegar to drink -Psalm 69:21

fulfilled: Matthew 27:34, Luke 23:36

no broken bones -Psalm 34:20

fulfilled: John 19:32-36

buried in a rich man’s tomb -Isaiah 53:9

fulfilled: Matthew 27:57-60

casting lots for His garments -Psalm 22:18

fulfilled: John 19:23-24

 BUT don't stop now!
the best is YET TO BE TOLD.

the beginning of Sorrows {advent}

would enter Jerusalem as a king 

on a donkey 

Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee: he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass. Zechariah 9:9

fulfilled: Matthew 21:4-9

would be rejected by Jews

The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner. Psalm 118:22

fulfilled:  I Peter 2:7

even more {[Jesus' ministry]} {advent}

would minister in Galilee 

Nevertheless the dimness shall not be such as was in her vexation, when at the first he lightly afflicted the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, and afterward did more grievously afflict her by the way of the sea, beyond Jordan, in Galilee of the nations.  The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined. Isaiah 9:1,2

fulfilled: Matthew 4:12-16

would cleanse the Temple 

Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me: and the Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, he shall come, saith the LORD of hosts.   But who may abide the day of his coming? and who shall stand when he appeareth?  Malachi 3:1,2

fulfilled: Matthew 21:12-13

ministry prophecied {advent}

would perform miracles

...he will come and save you.  Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped.  Then shall the lame man leap as an hart, and the tongue of the dumb sing: for in the wilderness shall waters break out, and streams in the desert. Isaiah 35:4-6;

fulfilled: Matthew 9:35

would preach good news 

The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound... Isaiah 61:1

fulfilled: Luke 4:14-21

advent reading

As promised: our Advent calendar!

it did not turn out quite as I had planned. 

sometimes Life causes time-crunches {smiles} 

BUT it was completed before we needed to use it!

the verses follow the Advent posts. 

And we will read the Christmas Story all-together before we open presents 

{we have not decided exactly when yet, since Christmas morning is Sunday-incidentally, the BEST day to have Christmas!}

We turn the card around backwards when we are done reading it so Mommy does not get confused. {so sad}. 

and it is hung on another bookshelf close to our Days of Thanksgiving which we are continuing.

ADVENT: the arrival of a notable person, thing, or event